Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz replies to a question from an Airman during an all call March 8, 2011, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. General Schwartz answered questions from Airmen about retirement benefits, national defense and force management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz congratulates 2nd Lt. Eric Birdsong March 8, 2011, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Lieutenant Birdsong is the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron officer in charge of maintenance support. He was called to the stage during an "all call" to be recognized by General Schwartz for winning the Dr. James G. Roche Sustainment Excellence Award. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)
3/10/2011 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited here March 8 to meet with Airmen and local civic leaders, and review the capabilities and readiness of this Air Force Global Strike Command base.
During an all-call with total force Airmen and civilians, the general said the men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base uphold an awesome responsibility to ensure the nation's defense.
"What you do is not easy," he said. "But what you do affects how people perceive the whole Air Force. We expect excellence from all Global Strike Command bases."
During his remarks, General Schwartz discussed force management, saying the Air Force has more Airmen on active duty than the law allows, due in large part to high retention rates.
While the general emphasized the tremendous dedication of Airmen through more than nine years of war, the fact remains that there are too many Airmen on active duty in certain year groups.
He said Air Force officials are being careful and deliberate in managing the force, both in reducing the number of new Airmen sworn in and in taking other actions to shape the existing force for the long term.
"In an effort to minimize the impact to our current force, we will reduce active-duty accessions as much as is prudent," he said. "In addition to the previously announced voluntary programs, we will also implement involuntary programs to include enlisted date of separation rollbacks, officer retention boards, and reduced officer promotion opportunities."
The general also addressed the repeal of the law commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," saying that the new policy will not affect mission accomplishment.
"We will treat each other with dignity and respect," he said.
Air Force officials are implementing training and education that will help Airmen understand what is expected in a post-repeal environment, he added.
General Schwartz also addressed suicide, stating that Air Force officials are instituting resiliency programs to help Airmen better handle life's stresses.
"Suicide has a tragic impact on the immediate family and on our Air Force team as a whole," he said.
He encouraged everyone to use the wingman concept and to not be afraid to ask for help when experiencing personal crises.
Additionally, General Schwartz praised the total force teamwork at Whiteman AFB.
"Everyone counts: active-duty, guard, reservist and civilian," he said. "Each one of us plays an important part."
He thanked the all-call attendees for their commitment and congratulated all Whiteman Airmen for winning Air Force-level awards.
"Be proud of the organization you belong to, because it matters," General Schwartz said.
